Mafia Billionaire's Hated Love

Chapter Four

Jessica experienced mixed emotions towards Jason's audacity and insolence. She could not understand how he could have the courage to condole her while he knew how much she hated him, especially when she suspected his family in her parents' deaths. On the other hand, she detested the manner in which he had threatened Sam. She wanted to scre*m after him as he walked away. Internally, she felt lulled by the fact that she had slapped some manners into him.

Finally, Sam escorted her into the house.

"How dare he threatens you?" She fumed as they entered. "I wanted to gouge out his eyes!"

"Well, if I may say my mind, I think that you overreacted. I'm sure he meant no harm."

"Are you kidding me? Are you forgetting what he had said earlier? It was like he was gloating over their demises. And then he develops the temerity to be pretentious about the misfortune! I don't think it possible for him to suddenly change into a kind and caring person."

"I do agree that his father might be behind the accident, but then I don't think the same of him. What I'm saying is that he is innocent and his coming to you was just meant to comfort you."

"If you say so. However, I'm unable to accept his sympathies," she responded as she negotiated her way between seats in the living room. "He is ... Ouch!" She tripped and fell backwards onto him.

"What is it?" He asked, holding her. "Are you hurt?"

"My leg! I hit the table. It is hurting really bad!"

"I see, take it easy," he said, lifting her into his arms.

He carried her onto the couch. "Stay still while I take the shoes off. Well, I can see a small bruise here," he added, pressing on it slightly.

"Ouch! It is painful," she screamed, pulling back her leg. Her dress suddenly retreated up the knees, revealing her smooth, soft thighs and the space in between.

Sam found himself staring in awe, his eyes unable to retract even after she had adjusted the dress. He was in a stupor momentarily. She caught him staring.

"What!" She posed, bringing him back to his senses. "Is there something wrong?''

"Eh, what did just you say? I'm sorry, my mind took leave of me?"

"Lier! You just looked like someone who has just transcended into another world. And you say there is nothing wrong?"

"Thinking about it now, I must say that everything has been wrong since that time I met you in college. Perhaps this isn't the right time."

"Right time for what?"

"Look here, let's forget about it. I mean, never mind," he stammered, blushing.

"You are scaring me, you know? Never have I known you to be mean with information for all this time I have been with you," she demurred, sounding exasperated. "Tell me now, or forever hold your peace!"

"Well, if you insist. However, I don't know where to start."

"You can start even from the end. Like why your mind temporarily took leave of you."

"Nope, that would be like putting the cart before the horse. Let me start from the beginning."

"That will be great. I'm all ears," she said as the maid came in with some drinks.

"Well, when I saw you the first time, something stirred in my heart," he continued after the maid had left for the kitchen. "I don't know how to describe it exactly, but what I know is that my heart, body and soul have been taken captive by you ever since. You may find it funny that I haven't told you for all this long, but to be honest, I haven't had enough courage to do so. Many are the times I have rehearsed at night only to lose the courage when I meet you."

"I'm sorry to ask, but what are you trying to say in so many words? I know that us lawyers have been accused of being wordy, but I'm sure you can summarize it," she said, laughing slightly.

"I would like us to be friends."

"Is that supposed to be some kind of a joke? As far as I know, we have never been enemies. Aren't we friends, and very close ones for that matter?"

"I know we are, but I wish we could take it to another level."

"You amuse me! The last time I checked you were dating Lucy. What has changed now?"

"I'm sorry to say, but Lucy was a big mistake."

"Was? Thought I saw you two together about two months ago?"

"Sure, but that was the last time she was here and with me. You see, we didn't have much in common and there was a lot more about her that I wouldn't put up with. We called it quits between us."

"So, are you asking me now because it is over between you and her, or what? I mean, I was invisible while she subsisted, and you contradict yourself by saying that you have been secretly crushing on me since we first met."

"You do remember that Lucy and I started back in college. She was the reason why I agreed to come over here. I mean, I was escaping from her, but she managed to trace me here. In short, it was over between us before I transferred here. In fact, the major reason I came here was to be close to you."

"You don't sound convincing enough. Besides, I have known you as a close friend and I would find it a little bit strange to see you differently. It might jeopardize whatever we have between us."

"No, it will cement it. You know what? That is one of the reasons I have never told you. The fear of rejection has been quite overwhelming. However, I feel very relieved that I have at last said what I feel for you. I love you, and I will always do."

"Oh, Sam, you are making me nervous and jittery! I do like you a lot as a friend that I have always leaned on, but I'm sorry that I can't see anything beyond that."

"Maybe you can see some possibility if you give it some time and thought. I have been patient all along, and I won't mind waiting."

"Perhaps, but I'm not making any promises. It might be an eternity because right now what I'm thinking about is finding justice for my poor parents."

"You are right on that. Talking of which, would you like me to arrange for their mass and interment for tomorrow?"

"That would be kind of you. I'm sure relatives are just about to start streaming in and I won't have much time. I would really appreciate it right now given that my leg is smarting like hell. And I thought you were a good first aider!"

"Well, it isn't like you gave me time to nurse you," he chuckled.

"Do I have a choice?" She said, stretching her leg towards him. "Stay focused, no more wandering eyes!" She added, laughing and adjusting her dress.

* * * * *

The mass for Mr. and Mrs. Edwards was attended by family members and friends. The bodies were laid to rest in the public cemetery. In her black mourning dress, Jessica stepped forward to lay her wreaths of flowers on their graves and say her last words to her beloved parents. She was heavily weighed down with grief and hate. Though she had not gotten any tangible proof that the accident had been plotted, she had a strong belief that it was not an ordinary one.

"Dad and Mum," she started, "nothing prepared me for the fact that you would go so soon. You have gone and left a deep void in my heart that can never be filled. As you go to heaven, one thing I ask of you is that if anyone caused your deaths, let me be able to find him and get justice for you. I love you very much and will always do. Rest in eternal peace, dear Dad and Mum!" She turned, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Sam took her hand and led her away from the graveside.

"God, why them?" She whimpered. "Why have they gone so soon?"

"Take heart because God knows better," he consoled her. "We can't understand the workings of Him who gives life. Maybe He has taken them to a better place."

They were walking towards their car, their eyes on they ground. They almost bumped into Jason who was standing by the passage in the company of Tamara. Jessica felt anger swelling up within her and she was about to vent it out when Jason intervened politely.

"Jessica, I'm deeply sorry for your bereavement," Jason started, his face portraying his sincerity. "May I have a word with you, alone, please?"

She searched his face for a moment. Her anger dissipated fast and she found herself nodding. Jason gently took her hand and led her a few metres away.

"I know that you and I have had our differences for long, and I'm ashamed to say that I have behaved badly towards you. I have come to realize that life is too short to waste on temperamental issues. You are too nice to deserve what I have done to you. Please, will you find it in your heart to forgive me?" He asked, almost pleading.

"Why now after all this time? Don't tell me that the mighty Jason has suddenly seen the light and now wants to climb down from his lofty position!" She retorted.

"No, I never had any loftier position than you. In fact, both of us have been egocentric in one way or another. What I have always seen in you is a woman of no mean fortitude and impeccable character. Take it whichever way you want, but I must admit that I admire you a lot."

"But I don't! And I will never!"

"Untill recently, that feeling has been mutual. However, lest you didn't know, the line between hate and love is very thin. One can never tell when one crosses into the other. In the meantime, my feelings would be greatly assuaged to know that I'm forgiven by you and we are friends."

"There won't be any forgiveness untill I have made sure that your family isn't responsible for the deaths of my parents!"

"Look me in the eye and tell me if I'm a murderer!" He challenged her.

She upturned her eyes and stared at his face for long. All that she saw were his beautiful blue eyes staring back from a background of well-shaped cheekbones. She lowered her eyes, blushing a little.

"Not you, but your father is," she said, rather softly.

"You see, never visit the sins of parents upon their children. In that case, do I stand vindicated and forgiven?"

Just then, Tamara approached. She was obviously not taking it well that Jason was now talking almost intimately with Jessica.

"Darling, why are you wasting time with her?" Tamara butted in. "She is the kind who takes everything for granted, never appreciative," she added, sneering at Jessica.

Jessica suddenly felt indignant. That was the second time that she was foulmouthing her. She was getting into her nerves.

"Please, do me a favour by taking your foul-mouthed slut away," she told him. "Next time you want to talk with me, make sure you lock her somewhere, or put some tape over her mouth!" She said as she hurried towards Sam who had been uncomfortably watching them.

"I know your likes!" Tamara burst out. "You only want to ride on sympathy as an excuse to. . ."

"Shii!" Jason intervened. "I do concur with Jessica that you lack proper manners. Unless you stop your nonsense, I'm going to regret having you. You have no business popping your nose into matters that don't concern you!"

"What? I can't believe that you are now defending her!"

"Believe whatever you want!" He hastened towards his car and left her standing, perplexed.